The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON has commenced the screening of Accommodation and Catering Service Applicants for the 2023 Hajj.
A press release signed by Mousa Ubandawaki, Assistant Director Information and Publication Unit NAHCON, stated that the screening is being conducted by a Committee headed by Dr Bala Muhammed of the Department of Mass communication, Bayero University, Kano, who represents the Jamma’atu Nasirl Islam (JN I) on the board of the commission.
Other members of the committee includes three (3) representatives of the Forum of State Chairmen/Secretaries (Lagos, FCT and Plateau states) and representatives of Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON).
The statement also revealed that Over a hundred (100) companies submitted application for the provision of accommodation and Catering Service in Makkah and Madinah.
However, before a company can be cleared, it must meet the criteria of having a share capital of not less than SR 5Million ( Five Million Saudi Riyals) for Accommodation and SR2Million ( Two Million Saudi Riyals) for Catering Service.
In addition, successful company must show evidence or proof of ownership or Lease Agreement and must also have a working agreement or partnership with a Nigerian entity, while a cognitive experience of 5years and most importantly with Nigeria is an added advantage.
The breakdown of the list of Applicants showed that 38 Companies applied for the Makkah Accommodation, while 16 applied for the Madina Accommodation.
77 companies applied for Feeding of pilgrims in Makkah and 24 companies bidded for Madina Pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON, the 36 State pilgrims welfare boards Agencies Commissions and the Tour operators were to pick from the list of successful Companies for the provision of accommodation and Catering Services during the 2023 Hajj.